Chapter 170: 169. The Caprice of Fate, and Man's Manipulation of It

Chapter 170: 169. The Caprice of Fate, and Man's Manipulation of It

Although the requirements to enter the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave were harsh, the Celestial Master's Mansion had controlled this cave for many years, and most of its changes were already well-known.

If there were to be any unexpected situations, they would most likely be due to external influences, causing temporary changes.

For example, the rare blooming of the True Sun Treasure Tree when Lei Jun entered the cave last time was an extremely rare coincidence.

The reason for this was that the previous great battle around Dragon-Tiger Mountain had disturbed the heavenly spirit energy, thus causing a subtle impact on the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave.

At present, there might be some slight changes in the cave, and Lei Jun guessed that it was mostly because Elder Li Song was healing his injuries using the power of the cave.

Then it would be a strenuous task for the old man... Lei Jun remained calm.

The problem before him now was that out of the two decent fortune sticks, he had to make a choice.

Both sticks were undoubtedly good fortunes.

Although the four-star and five-star opportunities couldn't compare to the higher-ranked one-star, two-star, and three-star opportunities, they were still risk-free and trouble-free draws.

In this case, even if the opportunity gained was slightly lower in rank, it would still be completely acceptable.

As for which one to choose, Lei Jun didn't make a decision immediately.

A four-star opportunity was undoubtedly better than a five-star one.

However, which of the two opportunities, the encounter or the spirit object, was more suitable for him at present, and which one he needed more urgently, was still a question to be answered.

Both of the decent fortune sticks mentioned that the time was midnight.

According to past practice, indicating a specific time node and having two conflicting choices meant that a decision had to be made, and one couldn't have their cake and eat it too.

With midnight still some time away, Lei Jun was in no hurry. He first went to the two locations mentioned in the fortune sticks, Lone Phoenix Crest and Sacred Wave Pool, to scout them out.

As expected, the two locations were quite a distance apart.

Lei Jun headed first to Lone Phoenix Crest, the location mentioned in the first decent fortune stick.

This place was a relatively desolate area among the mountains in the cave.

Although the spiritual energy here was also abundant, it paled in comparison to other places in the cave, and even more so when compared to the Immortal Bamboo Forest.

Speaking of which, Lei Jun had also inspected this place when he first entered the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave.

At that time, he hadn't discovered anything special.

Looking at the current situation, it seemed that there might be some slight changes due to Elder Li Song's healing.

Lei Jun was here for an early reconnaissance, and as he arrived early, at first glance, there didn't seem to be anything special about the place.

Near the mountain ridge, there were only curling white clouds, scattered and ethereal, like lone wild geese.

However, facing the same scenery, Lei Jun had a slightly different feeling this time.

This feeling didn't come from his own perception but from the deep connection between his spirit and soul, and the closely related Celestial Master's Seal and True One Altar, which showed some slight changes.

In the first layer of the True One Altar, the green Nine Abyss Earthfire flickered slightly, appearing more active than before.

Lei Jun's heart stirred, guessing that the four-star opportunity here could be of use to him.

However, he didn't rush to a conclusion and calmly left Lone Swan Crest to head to the next location, Sacred Wave Pool.

Like the Cloud Sea Immortal Pool, the Sacred Wave Pool was named a "pool," but in reality, it was a vast body of water that resembled a lake.

With no one entering the water and no wind blowing, the clear lake surface still automatically generated waves that rippled endlessly.

One could sense the abundant spiritual energy from these waves.

Comparing Lone Swan Crest and Sacred Wave Pool, the latter was undoubtedly more elegant.

However, at the edge of the Sacred Wave Pool, the Celestial Master's Seal and True One Altar didn't show any special reaction.

The Celestial Tome and the remaining Great Five Elements of Creation were the same.

Lei Jun remained calm and unhurried, walking on the water's surface without sinking.

After a while, he used his own magic power to part the pool water and sank into the lake, exploring the bottom.

After confirming that there was nothing else to gain, Lei Jun left the Sacred Wave Pool.

To determine which opportunity was more suitable for him based solely on the reactions of other spirit objects would not be very accurate.

However, taking into account the difference in rank between the four-star and five-star opportunities, Lei Jun made a decision.

He was more inclined to try his luck with the four-star opportunity at Lone Phoenix Crest.

However, it would be a waste to let this risk-free five-star opportunity at the Sacred Wave Pool go to waste... Lei Jun thought.

Speaking of which, among the people who entered the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave this time, there were some pretty good friends.

After a moment of contemplation, Lei Jun had an idea.

With the day still early, he left the Sacred Wave Pool and headed to the next location, which was also his original target for this trip to the cave.

The Immortal Bamboo Forest.

Lei Jun strolled through the forest, enjoying the abundant spiritual energy and feeling refreshed.

He bowed to the Immortal Bamboo Forest and then carefully collected some bamboo tubes, branches, and leaves, keeping them safely.

The harvested spirit bamboo could be used for two purposes.

One part would be used to feed that gluttonous Rolling Thunder.

The other part would be for Lei Jun's own experiments.

He considered refining the Upper Clarity Golden Bamboo again.

However, during this period, he needed to do more attempts and accumulate experience to verify and improve his ideas.

After the harvest, Lei Jun sat cross-legged in the Immortal Bamboo Forest, silently adjusting his breath and contemplating the spirit within.

The first time he entered the cave, he had stayed in the Immortal Bamboo Forest for a short time.

This time, he could make up for that regret and absorb a large amount of spiritual energy from this place to refine himself.

At night, Lei Jun left.

With some time still left before midnight, Lei Jun didn't immediately rush to Lone Phoenix Crest but instead headed to the Sacred Wave Pool first.

The Sacred Wave Pool was quiet, and no one seemed to be around.

Lei Jun's fingers held a spirit talisman that glowed faintly before dissipating into the air.

The invisible black thunder water, like thick ink, flowed into the pool water of the Sacred Wave Pool, but instead of dispersing like ink, it remained concentrated.

It was Lei Jun's Gui Water Yin Lei.

As the thunder water flowed, it disturbed and clashed with the spiritual energy of the Sacred Wave Pool.

The waves on the surface of the pool became more and more violent.

Lei Jun carried out his plan without further ado and left without concerning himself with the outcome. He made his way directly to Lone Phoenix Crest.

In the Saint Wave Pool, the waters churned and surged as the black thunder water caused a disturbance, like an incoming tide.

The spiritual energy within the pool waters also became turbulent and chaotic.

Lei Jun had already scouted the area during the day.

Most of the time, Luo Haoran, despite being in the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave for his trial, stayed close to the various bodies of water within the cave realm.

Having grown up in a water village, he hated flood disasters, but he also felt a kinship with flowing water.

At present, Luo Haoran was near the Immortal Spring, listening to the heavenly tones of the Dao that sounded like beautiful music to his ears.

A moment later, he frowned and turned his head, sensing something amiss.

He was rather sensitive to such occurrences.

But why would there be such a phenomenon in the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave? Luo Haoran's curiosity was piqued, and he decided to follow the sound to investigate.

As he left, someone else arrived in the distance.

The newcomer had a clear and beautiful countenance and an elegant air about her; it was Zhang Jingzhen.

Zhang Jingzhen saw Luo Haoran's departing figure from a distance but was too far away to call out to him.

However, since he was leaving, and there would be no one else at the Immortal Spring, it was perfect timing for Zhang Jingzhen.

She wanted to examine the Immortal Spring further.

Whether it was because of her status as a personal disciple of the previous Celestial Master or her own cultivation at the Sixth Heaven stage, Zhang Jingzhen had the opportunity to enter and leave the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave once a year.

In recent years, whenever she entered the cave, she would always make her way to the vicinity of the Immortal Spring.

The half tablet she had obtained there had benefited her immensely, but it had also left her with many unanswered questions.

Zhang Jingzhen was eager to uncover the truth behind it all.

Unfortunately, she had never been able to find the other half of the tablet.

Nor had there been any recurrence of the spring water drying up at the Immortal Spring.

Zhang Jingzhen had intended to search the depths of the spring, but there was something mystical about the Immortal Spring that resisted her attempts to delve deeper.

Over the past two years, she had tried using various water-avoiding spiritual objects, but the results had been less than ideal.

This year, she wanted to try again.

With her Sixth Heaven stage cultivation, Zhang Jingzhen could sense the turbulent waves in the direction of the Saint Wave Pool, despite the distance.

Recalling that Luo Haoran had headed in that direction earlier, she decided not to rush over.

She considered entering the Immortal Spring first and then making her way to the Saint Wave Pool afterward.

Thus, Zhang Jingzhen quietly adjusted her breath and began her own investigation of the Immortal Spring.

After casting a bolt of thunder water into the Saint Wave Pool, Lei Jun left without waiting to see the outcome.

The black thunder water would dissipate on its own later, leaving no trace.

It remained to be seen if Luo Haoran would notice the anomaly in the Saint Wave Pool in time.

As long as he was nearby, he would most likely sense the disturbance and rush over immediately.

This was a little "trap" that Lei Jun had specially set up for his senior martial brother.

Since he couldn't obtain both opportunities for himself, and there were some familiar friends in the cave this time, Lei Jun decided to look out for his companions.

After all, why let the "juicy meat" go to outsiders?

Following Luo Haoran's habits, it was highly likely that he would visit the various bodies of water in the cave realm, including the Saint Wave Pool.

However, according to the fortune stick, the timing had to be precise—midnight. Arriving earlier or later would result in no gains.

So, Lei, the Daoist priest, had set an "alarm" for him.

As for whether Luo Haoran would be "awakened" and successfully obtain the five-star opportunity at the Saint Wave Pool, Lei Jun didn't concern himself with that.

He had only checked the environment around the Saint Wave Pool earlier to ensure that it posed no danger to himself or others.

Fortunately, the Saint Wave Pool was relatively peaceful, and with Luo Haoran having already cultivated to the Fourth Heaven stage of the Primal Symbol, even if the waters raged, it wouldn't threaten his life.

The rest depended on his own fate and Dharma.

Lei Jun himself had now arrived at Lone Phoenix Crest.

Midnight was fast approaching.

Lei Jun waited patiently.

Until...

The mountain ridge near Lone Phoenix Crest suddenly shook and trembled.

The entire Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave, suspended in the sky, seemed to experience a mild earthquake at that moment.

Lei Jun remained calm and unfazed, unleashing the Ji Soil Yin Lei, which stood alongside the Gui Water Yin Lei, to stabilize the area around him.

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he looked into the distance.

There, a faint glow flickered, emitting a spiritual radiance.

"It's here," Lei Jun thought, and he immediately flew towards it, enveloping the area with his protective aura.

Focusing his eyes, he saw that the radiance came from a small cauldron that was struggling to free itself from the soil that had buried it.

Silken strands of lightning were escaping from the cauldron, surging outwards.

However, as soon as the cauldron broke free of the earth, the escaping lightning immediately attracted the cave realm's thunder.

A peal of thunder crashed down from the heavens, striking the cauldron.

Although the cauldron remained undamaged, its spirit seemed to retreat and hide once more, becoming still and silent as it began to descend slowly, intending to bury itself in the soil once more.

No wonder the timing had to be midnight; any earlier or later would be futile... Lei Jun understood as he witnessed the scene.

He waved the Soil Flag, and the yellowish spiritual light temporarily stabilized the mountain rocks and soil, allowing him to capture the black-violet cauldron.

The cauldron showed no signs of resistance and fell gently into Lei Jun's hand.

[Thunder Heart Cauldron], Lei Jun's mind whispered the name of the cauldron.

He guessed that this cauldron had been left behind by a senior member of their sect many years ago.

Because of Yuan Mo Bai's expertise in pill refining, Lei Jun had often accompanied him, and as a result, he had read numerous books and heard many stories about pill refining.

The Dragon-Tiger Mountain sect's pill refining techniques typically involved the harmonization of water and fire, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang and the union of dragon and tiger.

However, this Thunder Heart Cauldron followed the path of thunder and lightning, which was extremely rare in the history of Dragon-Tiger Mountain.

Lei Jun recalled that only a long-deceased elder master from many years ago had dabbled in this art.

Most likely, this cauldron had been left behind by that elder.

Now, due to external influences on the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave, the cauldron had the opportunity to resurface once more.

Of course, it was a fleeting chance.

If one were destined to encounter it, it would appear; otherwise, the treasure would remain buried.

Lei Jun recalled the Unfulfilled Bowl he had obtained from the Great Elixir Room back then and felt a surge of emotions.

He composed himself, lit an incense stick, and offered a prayer to the birthplace of the Thunder Heart Furnace in front of him.

Later, Lei Jun did not rush to examine the Thunder Heart Furnace in detail. Instead, he put away his talismans and left, planning to inspect it after he exited the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave.

For now, he headed towards the Sacred Wave Pool.

Earlier, at midnight, while the Thunder Heart Furnace emerged at Lone Phoenix Crest, Lei Jun vaguely sensed that something unusual was happening at the Sacred Wave Pool as well.

Unlike before, when it was caused by his Gui Water Yin Lei, this time, it was the Sacred Wave Pool itself that underwent a change.

Most likely, it was also affected by Elder Li Song's healing, causing a transformation in the cave and giving birth to a five-star opportunity.

By the time Lei Jun arrived, several other true disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion had also gathered at the Sacred Wave Pool.

However, the waters of the pool had already calmed down.

The surface was smooth as a mirror, without even a ripple.

There, Luo Haoran sat cross-legged on the water, with one hand forming a mudra in front of his chest, while the other hand held a round bead that shimmered with light.

Seeing that Luo Haoran was safe and sound, Lei Jun finally put his last worry to rest.

The same event, experienced by different people, could yield vastly different outcomes.

Fortunately, this risk-free, decent opportunity didn't turn out to be a disaster for Luo Haoran.

"This..." Luo Haoran stepped out of the Sacred Wave Pool, still looking a bit bewildered.

He had only been drawn to the Sacred Wave Pool by the commotion, intending to calm the waters, but he never expected to encounter such an opportunity.

However, he was quite fond of this spiritual object that could calm the waves.

The others who witnessed it were also amazed.

If there was anyone with mixed feelings, it was Zhang Jingzhen, who arrived later.

Once again, she had secretly investigated the Immortal Spring, but failed.

At that moment, Zhang Jingzhen stared at Luo Haoran and the bead in his hand, feeling a mix of emotions.

That was the very treasure she needed to explore the Immortal Spring!

How ironic that they had come so close yet missed each other.

Zhang Jingzhen's heart was filled with conflicting emotions, but she maintained a calm expression and joined the others in congratulating Luo Haoran.

The good news was that Luo Haoran was easygoing and righteous.

If she asked to borrow the bead temporarily, he would most likely not refuse.

However, doing so would make it difficult for her to keep her own matters confidential.

Missing this opportunity was truly a pity... Zhang Jingzhen sighed inwardly.

Lei Jun also acted as if he had just learned about it and congratulated Luo Haoran along with the others.

Later, Luo Haoran spoke to him in private: "I'm curious as to why the Sacred Wave Pool suddenly produced this treasure. I've never heard of any other disciples encountering something like this before."

Lei Jun maintained a calm expression as he replied, "The Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave and our sect's mountain gate headquarters are closely interconnected, influencing each other. It's not unusual for there to be some impact, and the wonders of heaven and earth encompass all things and are ever-changing."

He took the bead from Luo Haoran's hand.

Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind:

[Calming Wave Bead]



So, this was the five-star opportunity mentioned in the second decent fortune stick, related to the Sacred Wave Pool... Lei Jun thought.

He returned the Calming Wave Bead to Luo Haoran and smiled, "This treasure seems to be just what you need, Brother Luo."

Luo Haoran smiled back, "Indeed."

Compared to the Water-Repellent Golden Pupil, which was mostly used for self-protection and had limited range, the Calming Wave Bead could more proactively and broadly influence large bodies of water.

"Brother Luo, your heart embraces the world, and I've always admired that about you," Lei Jun said.

"However, as the saying goes, 'sharpen your axe while you chop wood.' Don't neglect your own cultivation. I recall you mentioning your aspiration to attain the Upper Three Heavens stage. If you succeed, you could put an end to most of the world's flood disasters."

"Brother Lei speaks the truth," Luo Haoran laughed. "But your tone just now reminded me of our master."

"Time flies, and it ages us all..." Lei Jun sighed.

The older Luo Haoran quickly waved his hand, "Stop, I shouldn't have brought that up."

After chatting for a while, the two of them stopped joking around and sat down together in the Immortal Bamboo Forest, adjusting their breaths and contemplating their spiritual energy.

As the designated time approached, everyone left the Upper Clarity Thunder Palace Cave together.

Unlike the previous time, the high-achieving elder waiting for them at the mountaintop hadn't changed; it was still Yao Yuan.

Speaking of which, the High Achievement Pavilion of Dragon-Tiger Mountain was even busier these days.

Xu Yuanzhen, Tang Xiaotang, Li Zhengxian, and Li Hongyu were all away from the mountain.

Elder Li Song and Shangguan Ning were both recuperating from their injuries.

Everything fell on the shoulders of Yuan Mobai, Li Ziyang, and Yao Yuan.

After Yao Yuan received Lei Jun, Zhang Jingzhen, Luo Haoran, and the others, he immediately returned to the High Achievement Pavilion.

Before leaving, Lei Jun and the others reported the changes that occurred in the cave at midnight.

"Elder Li's condition has been a bit unstable during his recovery, which might be related to this," Yao Yuan said.

"Fortunately, there's no major issue inside or outside the cave," he added.

Hearing this, everyone sent their well-wishes to Elder Li Song.

Indeed, it's been tough on the old man... Lei Jun remained calm.

As the crowd dispersed, he returned to his residence peacefully.

Only then did he carefully examine the newly acquired Thunder Heart Furnace.

There were some things he didn't quite understand, and he planned to ask his master about them later when he returned from the High Achievement Pavilion.

That night, he received a message from the Heavenly Tome.

The four of them gathered once again.

Sunday spoke up first, "I still have the same question: does anyone know the recent whereabouts of Wei Ancheng, the leader of the Blood River Sect?"

Monday replied, "There are rumors that people from the Blood River Sect have been spotted south of the Great River, and they seem to have some connection with the Dragon-Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion and the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou. However, there's no news about Wei Ancheng himself."

Lei Jun and Thursday also gave the same response.

Sunday fell silent once more.

Lei Jun's gaze swept across the illusory starry sky before him as he spoke, "I have a partial Buddhist elixir formula here. If anyone is interested, feel free to contact me privately."

PS: 5k chapter.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end